Kosovo not ready for negotiations with Serbia: report

(PRISTINA) - Kosovo is not ready for EU-sponsored talks with Serbia due to the political crisis caused by the surprise resignation of its president, his interim successor was quoted as saying Monday.

"In these circumstances (the Pristina authorities) are not ready to talk with Belgrade," the daily Lajm quoted Jakup Krasniqi, Kosovo's interim president, as saying.

Following pressured from the international community, Pristina and Belgrade agreed in September to open a dialogue about unresolved issues that stem from Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence which Serbia refuses to recognise.

Although it had been hinted the talks might start in the autumn, no date was ever set.

Many observers had predicted the talks could be hampered by the fallout from the surprise resignation of president Fatmir Sediju in late September after a court ruling that he could not serve as head of state and head of his party.

To solve the ensuing deadlock, early general elections were called for February 13, as it is the parliament which chooses the president.

But the elections could be held even sooner as the now minority government of Prime Minister Hashim Thaci faces a vote of no-confidence on Tuesday.

If the election is held earlier than scheduled Krasniqi said it would the dialogue with Serbia should "start only after new institutions emerging from these polls are constituted".